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Jets coach Rex Ryan: The AFC title 'goes through New England, without question'

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan watches his team during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. San Francisco won 34-0.
(Photo by (Photo by AP))

On one hand, his 3-3 New York Jets are tied with the New England Patriots for first place in the AFC East. On the other hand, both teams, along with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills, are also tied for last place.

But, through whichever prism you choose, after six games, Ryan is still on even footing with the Patriots. And for that, he's thankful.

“New England has had a stranglehold on this division for several years,” Ryan said. “The three years that I’ve been the head coach they’ve won our division, and honestly, quite handily. They’re the ones to beat. It goes through New England, without question.”

That places a greater emphasis on division games, such as the one New England will play against the Jets Sunday at Gillette Stadium. The boisterous Ryan has already predicted a New York win, but he said that he isn’t going to go about trying to beat the Patriots in the same way Seattle did, which was to air it out and take shots down the field.

Despite the fact its secondary has surrendered 33 plays of 20 or more yards, New England’s ability to produce turnovers is still something Ryan fears, which is why he feels protecting the ball Sunday will be of utmost importance. To accomplish that goal, he plans to use a balanced attack.

“I know every year, New England, they get criticized for their pass defense, what they rank and all that. It’s not about that. The Patriots play complementary football,” Ryan said. “They have the No. 1 offense, so what you do is try to win the turnover battles.

“When they do, this team, their record when they win the turnover battle is phenomenal. That’s something that they do and I think it gets overlooked. … Since 2008, for instance, when New England wins the turnover battle they’re 39-4. That, to me, that’s a team thing. When they lose it, they’re 8-10. I think the defense plays a part in that.”

New England leads the AFC with a plus-10 turnover differential. The Jets are plus-1.

The Patriots have won the turnover battle in five of six games this season. They tied in the other.